The core sky conditions

Sun, cloud, partly-cloudy combinations, and rain cover the most common everyday weather updates, and are frequently used literally to describe current conditions in a message.

Storm and severe weather emoji

Thunderstorm, lightning bolt, and tornado emoji are used both literally for severe weather alerts and figuratively — a lightning bolt often represents sudden energy or a shock, unrelated to actual weather.

Snow and cold weather emoji

Snowflake, snowman, and wind-face emoji are used for winter weather updates, and the snowflake specifically is also used more broadly to describe anything delicate or easily disrupted.

Rainbow's dual meaning

Beyond literal weather, the rainbow emoji is widely used as a symbol of hope, positivity, and LGBTQ+ pride, making it one of the more context-dependent weather emoji.